Thread: Do I have enough Stones?

Hey guys,
I am fairly new to the entire straight razor shaving and was wondering if you could help me out. I have 1K/6K and 4K/8K combos, do you think I have enough or need to purchase another, higher grit stone. If that is the deal, can you please recommend something, something that wont brake the bank, because I am working with a tight budget.

Thank you

Gregory

You can get a great shave off an 8k, but higher adds keen-ness and smoothness.

Which stones are they (brands)? Mostly just curious, but there are some hones out there that others say are more reliable than others (I don't have enough experience with enough different hones to know).

Yes, that is the goal, I am seeking for that perfect smooth edge

-the 1k/6k combo is a Japanese waterstone

-the 4k/8k is a Norton

Thanks for reading.
Gregory

You can never have enough stones. The right amount will always be one more than you currently have.

Originally Posted by ndw76

You can never have enough stones.

Just like you can never have enough razors.

On the condition that you know how to use either. Rule of thumb: a truckload of hones does not turn you into somebody who knows how to hone razors, and neither does a truckload of razors make you a more proficient shaver. I was told to learn to use (one set of) hone(s) first, and then take it from there. Still working on it.

Regards,
Robin

I am starting to believe that there will never be enough razors, I guess that goes the same for other important accessories.

Thanks for the advise.

Gregory

Honestly I started out thinking I needed lots of amazing stones. False.

After months of debate, and a very generous grant from a couple members here, I got some Naniwa super stones and they're touted as the best but I dunno about that- I'm not experienced enough. I do know that they work great and they're basically all I need, the more I use em the better my edges get. I do have a Swaty for touch ups and a Nakayama and Thuringen as finishers. I would say that if I could have one hone it would be the Swaty, followed by the Thury. Both work great. So I think you're as far as you need to get on regular hones, but you might want a good barber hone or perhaps a natural finisher. I'm a stinge and I think investing in a good finisher/touch up hone is a good investment because in theory it can keep you going for years, and its the final factor in your honing. Thats just my .02 but as others have said practice practice practice.

Having a good assortment of stones makes it easier on you depending on what you are trying to do.
Some of these old razors have really hard steel and can take forever to get the bevel set with a 1k stone.
I bought 3 old razors last week that were in pretty good shape considering there age.
One a 1924-1939 red injun boker had a 3/32nd chip out of the blade.
Took the chip out with 400 grit wet or dry using a sweeping motion.
Broke out the 1k norton taped the razor spine and went to work.
It took forever to get it shave arm hair. must have worked on it for 6 hours or more.

Also got a C MON little blackie for $18. Only rust on it was on the edge That took 5 hours or so to get to good steel.

The reward was worth it, 2 razors saved form rusting away and being lost forever. Now they both are 2 pass BBS shavers.

Me! I am looking for another stone or 2 in 400 grit range or less to speed thing up in the future.


Silver2

Guys you all have been very helpful. I have couple of 12k stones in mind and was wondering if any one could help me out with choosing the better one. I will be posting a new thread "Help me choose a 12K hone"

Thanks again

Gregory